A room of ones own, the simple desire of writers, all artists really. A place where creativity and hard work come together to realize a novel, painting or song. The room, that mythical writing place and space, has, as so much has, altered in the twenty-first century. Once it involved paper, ink, quill and quiet. Now the list includes a computer, possibly with Grammarly and Scrivner app, and, of course, wifi access. Don’t even get me started on the subject of desks! Who would have guessed that sitting or standing would ever be a common question associated with them?
Except you don’t. You don’t need the tech or the apps. I still write every first draft, including this one, longhand in notebooks. And while the computer and wifi are invaluable for research, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the act of putting words together. Not even quiet is a necessity for some given the number of machines and apps that produce white noise that many have on during their sessions. Yet, many people still claim they need exacting conditions to write.
You don’t.
Let me say that again-YOU DON’T.
What do I think you need? At base, all you need is:
- Grit: remember you’ll be in the desert for a long time!
- A writing medium: pick one, computer or notebook and pen and keep them ready
- A set place to write: kitchen table, coffee shop, car during lunch break or in bed (like me). Doesn’t need fancy, just for you to claim it and show up to do the work
- An inkling of an idea: not even a full plot, just a spark of something
- A calendar that includes writing sessions that you keep
- Access to a library
That’s it. That’s all you need. Most of them are free. Everything else is gravy. Get to work